Jujutsu Kaisen, which was made into an anime in 2020, quickly swept the anime industry and became a huge hit around the world. Its overwhelming artwork, powerful battle scenes, and deep characters left a strong impression on anime fans. It can be said that this work was not just a hit, but brought a new trend and movement to the anime world. In this article, we will consider the impact that Jujutsu Kaisen has had on the anime world and delve into the reasons for its success.
1. A new fusion of magic and modern battle anime
One of the greatest attractions of Jujutsu Kaisen is that it combines the unique theme of curses with modern battle anime. It incorporates traditional Japanese cultural elements such as magic and curses, while harmonizing them with modern settings and characters, creating a visually new style.
Fusion of curses and battle
Traditional magic and onmyodo have been featured in various anime in the past, but Jujutsu Kaisen redesigns them in a modern style and develops them with a detailed setting. The scenes where cursed spirits and sorcerers fight are not simply physical battles, but depict complex tactics that make full use of a special energy called cursed power. This new style of cursed battle shows viewers a "new form of battle" and has a different appeal from traditional battle anime.
This innovative approach sets it apart from previous Jump works and can be said to have opened the era of "curse battles" in the anime industry.
2. Quality of drawing and animation and MAPPA's presence
Another reason why "Jujutsu Kaisen" attracted attention is its overwhelming quality of drawing and animation. Studio MAPPA, which produced the animation, is known for the smoothness of movement and dynamic direction of battle scenes, and in "Jujutsu Kaisen", this technology is used to the fullest.
The overwhelming quality of the battle scenes
In particular, the camerawork and the precision of the character movements in the battle scenes created a visual impact. The high-speed action scenes and the depiction of the sorcerers' special techniques, such as domain expansion, are a work that challenges the limits of anime.
MAPPA's team realistically and attractively portrayed the characters' fighting styles, creating battle scenes that viewers can easily empathize with. Such high technical ability set a new standard in the anime world and greatly inspired other anime production studios.
Opening and Ending Direction
MAPPA's sense also shines in the direction of the opening and ending. In particular, the opening theme "Kaikai Kitan" and the ending theme "LOST IN PARADISE" of the first season of the anime attracted attention for their stylish visual beauty and fusion of music. By depicting the characters' everyday scenes and relaxed appearances, the contrast with the dark worldview of the story was impressively expressed, capturing the hearts of fans.
3. A new evolution of Jump works: the acceptance of dark fantasy
Jujutsu Kaisen was a dark fantasy work in Weekly Shonen Jump, and was particularly notable for its "serious theme" and "hard-hitting battle depictions." While Jump's traditional works often have bright themes such as friendship, effort, and victory, Jujutsu Kaisen stands out with its heavy theme of curses.
Dark fantasy becomes a trend
The reason behind the popularity of such dark fantasy works is the diversification of themes desired by modern viewers. Younger generations tend to be attracted to stories related to complex human relationships, conflicts, and social issues rather than simple hero stories. Through the theme of curses, Jujutsu Kaisen depicts a story that reflects the negative emotions and anxieties in modern society and overcomes them.
This trend can also be seen in other Jump works such as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Chainsaw Man, which accelerated the trend of dark fantasy in the anime world.
4. Character diversity and depth: Characters that empathize with the viewer
The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are each unique, but they also resonate with many viewers. The main character, Yuji Itadori, is not portrayed as a typical "hero", but as a character who fights to save his friends and people while facing his own life.
Gojo Satoru and a new way of drawing the "strongest character"
Gojo Satoru in particular overturned the concept of the "strongest character" in anime and manga up to now. Although he is a sorcerer with absolute power, his light-hearted attitude and carefree personality have garnered tremendous support from fans. His overwhelming strength not only relieves the tension of the story, but also brings humor and ease to the entire work.
The presence of Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara
Characters such as Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara also act with their own unique beliefs, making a strong impression on viewers. Fushiguro's tactics using shadows and Kugisaki's strong and independent female character image enriched the story and gained the support of anime fans. In particular, Kugisaki's refusal to sacrifice herself renewed the traditional image of female characters in anime and provided viewers with a new perspective.
5. Global hit and global expansion of anime
Jujutsu Kaisen has not only been a success in Japan, but has also gained popularity around the world. It has been highly praised in North America, Europe, and Asian countries through distribution on international anime distribution platforms such as Crunchyroll. The reason this work is loved across borders is not only because of its universal themes and attractive characters, but also because of its high level of perfection as action and entertainment.
Success in the international market
As the anime market becomes increasingly globalized, Jujutsu Kaisen has become a symbol of this. In particular, the dynamism, good tempo, and visual impact of the battle anime have been accepted by viewers around the world, and have become a common language for people who love anime. In addition, the English dubbed version and multilingual support have gained many fans across cultural and language barriers, which is also one of the reasons why Jujutsu Kaisen became a global hit.
Summary: A new era of anime brought about by Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen goes beyond the framework of a simple battle anime, reviving Japan's traditional sorcery culture in the modern era and captivating viewers with its detailed battle direction and character portrayal. The high quality of the drawings, the dark fantasy theme, and the diverse and deep characters have brought a breath of fresh air to the world of anime.
The "new era of jujutsu battles" that this work has ushered in will influence other anime and creators, and will shape future trends in the world of anime. There is no doubt that the innovation that "Jujutsu Kaisen" has created will continue to lead the anime industry.
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